❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the State Development Minister regarding communications between the government/agencies and UMC, Norsk Hydro, and BHP Billiton concerning occupancy rights, geological data, and bauxite/alumina developments in the Kimberley region, particularly the TR (Mitchell Plateau). The Minister cites commercial confidentiality for some withheld information, refers to previous answers, and provides some tabled documents with redactions.
AnsweredQoN 4956Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In relation to UMC, on what date did the Government or its Agencies first have communications with UMC and/or its associated entities (UMC) in relation to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR?
(2) Can the Minister please table the communications has he had between the Government or its Agencies with UMC in relation to the TR?
(3) If no to (2), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to UMC?
(4) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to UMC?
(5) In relation to Norsk Hydro and/or its associated entities (Hydro), has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Hydro in relation to the TR?
(6) If yes to (5), with whom and on what date did these communications first take place?
(7) If yes to (5), with whom and on what other dates have these communications taken place?
(8) Can the Minister please table the communications had between the Government or its Agencies with Hydro in relation to the TR?
(9) If no to (8), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hydro?
(10) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hydro?
(11) What was the earliest date on which the Government or its Agencies first became aware of Hydro’s potential interest in a bauxite and alumina development in the Kimberley region?
(12) How did the Government and/or its Agencies first become aware of Hydro’s potential interest in a bauxite and alumina development in the Kimberley region?
(13) The Norwegian Government holds approximately 43.8 percent of the issued capital of Hydro and up to 49.9 percent of the voting rights in that company. The Norwegian Government is also reported to hold a stabilization reserve valued at around US$300B (Bloomberg 2007). The INPEX Maret Islands gas development is forecast to come into production by end 2012/ start 2013. Does the Government believe that these considerations make the UMC/ Hydro development far more likely to proceed than the many previous development proposals bauxite/ alumina proposals that have been put forward for the Mitchell Plateau/North Kimberley?
(14) In relation to BHP Billiton and/or its associated entities (BHP Billiton), has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with BHP Billiton in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(15) If yes to (14), with whom and on what dates?
(16) If yes to (14), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(17) If yes to (14), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and BHP Billiton in relation to the TR?
(18) If no to (17), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to BHP Billiton?
(19) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to BHP Billiton?
(20) In relation to Chalco and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Chalco in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(21) If yes to (20), with whom and on what dates?
(22) If yes to (20), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(23) If yes to (20), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Chalco in relation to the TR?
(24) If no to (23), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Chalco?
(25) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Chalco?
(26) In relation to Hindalco of India and/or its associated entities (Hindalco), has the Government or its agencies had direct communications with Hindalco in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(27) If yes to (26), with whom and on what dates?
(28) If yes to (26), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(29) If yes to (26), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Hindalco in relation to the TR?
(30) If no to (29), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hindalco?
(31) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hindalco?
(32) In relation to United Co. Rusal and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Rusal in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(33) If yes to (32), with whom and on what dates?
(34) If yes to (32), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(35) If yes to (32), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Rusal in relation to the TR?
(36) If no to (35), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Rusal?
(37) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Rusal?
(38) In relation to Alcan Bauxite and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Alcan in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(39) If yes to (38), with whom and on what dates?
(40) If yes to (38), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication had?
(41) If yes to (38), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Alcan in relation to the TR?
(42) If no to (41), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Alcan?
(43) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Alcan?
(44) Are there any other parties, not referred to in the above questions, with which the Government or its Agencies has had communications in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(45) If yes to (44), with whom and on what dates?
(46) If yes to (44), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(47) If yes to (44), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and each of the parties mentioned in (45), in relation to the TR?
(48) If no to (47), and the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to each of the parties mentioned in (45)?
(49) If the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to each of the parties mentioned in (45)?
(50) What are the proportionate beneficial ownership interests of the Mitchell Plateau Joint Venture, as split between Rio Tinto and Alcoa of Australia?
(2) Can the Minister please table the communications has he had between the Government or its Agencies with UMC in relation to the TR?
(3) If no to (2), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to UMC?
(4) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to UMC?
(5) In relation to Norsk Hydro and/or its associated entities (Hydro), has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Hydro in relation to the TR?
(6) If yes to (5), with whom and on what date did these communications first take place?
(7) If yes to (5), with whom and on what other dates have these communications taken place?
(8) Can the Minister please table the communications had between the Government or its Agencies with Hydro in relation to the TR?
(9) If no to (8), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hydro?
(10) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hydro?
(11) What was the earliest date on which the Government or its Agencies first became aware of Hydro’s potential interest in a bauxite and alumina development in the Kimberley region?
(12) How did the Government and/or its Agencies first become aware of Hydro’s potential interest in a bauxite and alumina development in the Kimberley region?
(13) The Norwegian Government holds approximately 43.8 percent of the issued capital of Hydro and up to 49.9 percent of the voting rights in that company. The Norwegian Government is also reported to hold a stabilization reserve valued at around US$300B (Bloomberg 2007). The INPEX Maret Islands gas development is forecast to come into production by end 2012/ start 2013. Does the Government believe that these considerations make the UMC/ Hydro development far more likely to proceed than the many previous development proposals bauxite/ alumina proposals that have been put forward for the Mitchell Plateau/North Kimberley?
(14) In relation to BHP Billiton and/or its associated entities (BHP Billiton), has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with BHP Billiton in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(15) If yes to (14), with whom and on what dates?
(16) If yes to (14), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(17) If yes to (14), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and BHP Billiton in relation to the TR?
(18) If no to (17), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to BHP Billiton?
(19) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to BHP Billiton?
(20) In relation to Chalco and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Chalco in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(21) If yes to (20), with whom and on what dates?
(22) If yes to (20), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(23) If yes to (20), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Chalco in relation to the TR?
(24) If no to (23), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Chalco?
(25) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Chalco?
(26) In relation to Hindalco of India and/or its associated entities (Hindalco), has the Government or its agencies had direct communications with Hindalco in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(27) If yes to (26), with whom and on what dates?
(28) If yes to (26), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(29) If yes to (26), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Hindalco in relation to the TR?
(30) If no to (29), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hindalco?
(31) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Hindalco?
(32) In relation to United Co. Rusal and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Rusal in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(33) If yes to (32), with whom and on what dates?
(34) If yes to (32), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(35) If yes to (32), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Rusal in relation to the TR?
(36) If no to (35), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Rusal?
(37) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Rusal?
(38) In relation to Alcan Bauxite and/or its associated entities, has the Government or its Agencies had direct communications with Alcan in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(39) If yes to (38), with whom and on what dates?
(40) If yes to (38), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication had?
(41) If yes to (38), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and Alcan in relation to the TR?
(42) If no to (41), to the extent that the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Alcan?
(43) To the extent that the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to Alcan?
(44) Are there any other parties, not referred to in the above questions, with which the Government or its Agencies has had communications in relation to the TR since 30 June 2006?
(45) If yes to (44), with whom and on what dates?
(46) If yes to (44), what was the date of the most recent communication and with whom was that communication with?
(47) If yes to (44), can the Minister please table the communications between the Government or its Agencies and each of the parties mentioned in (45), in relation to the TR?
(48) If no to (47), and the communications have related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR, can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to each of the parties mentioned in (45)?
(49) If the communications have not related to the status of the occupancy rights to the TR and/or certain public record geological data pertaining to the resources within the TR (but have related to bauxite mining and/or alumina developments in the Kimberley region), can the Minister please provide a detailed overview as to what the Government and or its Agencies have communicated to each of the parties mentioned in (45)?
(50) What are the proportionate beneficial ownership interests of the Mitchell Plateau Joint Venture, as split between Rio Tinto and Alcoa of Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
56 days
(1) See the answer to (1) of PQ 4941.
(2) No. These communications were recognised at the time as being market sensitive and conducted on a "commercial in confidence" basis.
(3) See the answer to (2) above.
(4) See the answer to (2) above.
(5) See the answer to (2) of PQ 4941.
(6) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(7) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(8) Yes, see Attachments 1 and 2 [see tabled paper no. ]. The names of the Departmental officers and the Company representatives have been blacked out as this information is not pertinent to the contents of the communications. In addition, a paragraph in Attachment 2 has been blacked out as this information was provided to the Department on a "commercial in confidence" basis.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) Those matters not related to the occupancy rights and / or public domain data were discussed on a "commercial in confidence" basis and represent a commercial business plan which would be inappropriate to disclose to potential competitors through parliamentary processes.
(11) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(12) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(13) The discovery of resources in proximity to mineral resources may well enhance the opportunity for resource development. Ultimately this question can only be answered once appropriate social, environmental and economic aspects have been diligently studied.
(14) See the answer to (4) of PQ 4941.
(15, 16, 17, 18 & 19) Not applicable.
(20) See the answer to (8) of PQ 4941.
(21, 22, 23, 24 & 25) Not applicable.
(26) See the answer to (10) of PQ 4941.
(27, 28, 29, 30 & 31) Not applicable.
(32) See the answer to (12) of PQ 4941.
(33, 34, 35, 36 & 37) Not applicable.
(38) Yes.
(39) See the answer to (7) of PQ 4941.
(40) See the answer to (7) of PQ 4941.
(41) Yes, see Attachments 3 & 4 [see tabled paper no. ]. The names of the Departmental officers and the Company representatives have been blacked out as this information is not pertinent to the contents of the communications.
(42) Not applicable.
(43) Not applicable.
(44) See the answer to (14) of PQ 4941.
(45, 46, 47, 48 & 49) Not applicable.
(50) See the answer to (16) of PQ 4941.
See tabled paper no.
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(2) No. These communications were recognised at the time as being market sensitive and conducted on a "commercial in confidence" basis.
(3) See the answer to (2) above.
(4) See the answer to (2) above.
(5) See the answer to (2) of PQ 4941.
(6) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(7) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(8) Yes, see Attachments 1 and 2 [see tabled paper no. ]. The names of the Departmental officers and the Company representatives have been blacked out as this information is not pertinent to the contents of the communications. In addition, a paragraph in Attachment 2 has been blacked out as this information was provided to the Department on a "commercial in confidence" basis.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) Those matters not related to the occupancy rights and / or public domain data were discussed on a "commercial in confidence" basis and represent a commercial business plan which would be inappropriate to disclose to potential competitors through parliamentary processes.
(11) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(12) See the answer to (3) of PQ 4941.
(13) The discovery of resources in proximity to mineral resources may well enhance the opportunity for resource development. Ultimately this question can only be answered once appropriate social, environmental and economic aspects have been diligently studied.
(14) See the answer to (4) of PQ 4941.
(15, 16, 17, 18 & 19) Not applicable.
(20) See the answer to (8) of PQ 4941.
(21, 22, 23, 24 & 25) Not applicable.
(26) See the answer to (10) of PQ 4941.
(27, 28, 29, 30 & 31) Not applicable.
(32) See the answer to (12) of PQ 4941.
(33, 34, 35, 36 & 37) Not applicable.
(38) Yes.
(39) See the answer to (7) of PQ 4941.
(40) See the answer to (7) of PQ 4941.
(41) Yes, see Attachments 3 & 4 [see tabled paper no. ]. The names of the Departmental officers and the Company representatives have been blacked out as this information is not pertinent to the contents of the communications.
(42) Not applicable.
(43) Not applicable.
(44) See the answer to (14) of PQ 4941.
(45, 46, 47, 48 & 49) Not applicable.
(50) See the answer to (16) of PQ 4941.
See tabled paper no.
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